Time-recorder



R. F. DOWNEY.

TIME RECORDiR. APPLICATION FILED 05023. 1919.

1,395,400, Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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R. F. DOWNEY.

TIME RECORDER. APPLICATION FILED 050.23. 1919.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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R. F. DOWNEY. TIME RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23. 1919- a SHEETS-SHEET s.

- Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

Q MUM XOUJ RichardEDuwne (Mbwg UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD F. DOWNEY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR- OF ONE-THIRD TO ARTHUR LEICH AND ONE-THIRD TO JESSE S. BERNER, BOTH OF MILWAUKEE,

WISCONSIN.

TIME-RECORDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

Application filed December 23, 1919. Serial No. 346,859.

liecorders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, tion thereof.

My invention relates particularly tonew and useful improvements in time recording clear, and exact descripmachines for use in factories and the like for keeping records of employees time, but it may be adapted for use in other instances where it is desirable to record the time of day or other items of interest in tabulated relation.

It has been found that most time recording machines now in use may be tampered with and operated by unscrupulous persons so that their primary object of accurately recording time of individual employees is defeated. In other words one person may mark the time record of one or more employees of a plant or factory or the like without such employee or employees having been near the recording mechanism. Thus an early arrival at the place where the recording mechanism is installed, may easily mark his own time-card or record as well as those of his various friends and'the latter may come to work several hours later and still receive the benefits of a supposedly early arrival; Therefore in order to prevent dishonest persons from having their time records improperly marked, I have devised an arrangement whereby a positive and permanent record of each individual registering the time of his arrival or departure may be obtained. As a most convenient manner of accomplishing this, I have constructed means for use in connection with a time clock for securing finger-print impressions of the individuals actuating the recording means.

With this fundamental object in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed and shown in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a front elevational view of a recording mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2'is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. at is a similar view on the plane of the line 14 of said Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fragment of a time recording strip showing the relation between the time record and the finger-print record. I

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, it will be seen that my invention may be embodied in a simple compact mechanical structure, the major operating parts of which are inclosed within a casing 1 which will prevent tampering with the mechanism and overcome the possibility of the illegitimate use of the machine, such as is possible with several of the time recording apparatus at, present in use hen the invention is embodied in an apparatus for recording employees time, a clock 2 is mounted in the upper portion of the casing 1, its face being exposed as indicated in Fig. 1. As is customary in time recording devices, the clock mechanism is connected through a gear train with plurality of type disk gears 3, 1 and 5 mounted respectively upon a shaft 6, and sleeves 7 and 8. In the present instance the sleeves 7 and 8 are rotatably disposed one within the other and around the shaft 6, the whole assemblage being journaled in a bear ing 9 of the supporting frame 10 of the apparatus.

From Fig. 2 it will be noticed that the axis of the shaft 6 and sleeves 7 and 8 extends substantially horizontally and transversely of'the casing 1, the gears 3, l, and 5 being located to the rear of the frame 10, while type disks are disposed to the other side thereof. A type disk 11 for recording min- 13 will be rotated with respect to each other,

and if they are properlykeyed, the types thereon which represent the minute, hour and day of a particular month will be alined and located at the lowest point in the peripheries of the disks, or in other words downwardly with respect to the clock. A fourth 30 of a rotary circular carrier 31. 6O

the gear 5.

disk 14 is revoluble about the axis of the disks, and the type thereon is used for recording the several months of a year. This disk may be rotated by hand as in the present instance, or suitably connected with the clock mechanism. 7

An inking tape 15 is adapted to be disposed horizontally beneath the type disks 11, 12, 13 and 14 and in .position to be engaged therewith. The ends of this tape 15 are wound upon tape rolls 16. and 17 as is customary in the use of such an article, the tape being fed from one roll to the other to continuously expose a new portion thereof to the type of the disks. As a means for procuring this movement in the present structure, I dispose a gear 18 on the shaftof the roll 16, and interpose a gear 19 between said gear 18 and one of the type disk gears, preferably Thus the tape will be continuously wound from the roll 17 onto the roll 16 by the clock mechanism. When it is necessary to reverse the movement of the tape, for instance when it has been nearly completely wound on the roll 16, means may be provided On the shaft of the roll 17 to manually turn the same in a direction reverse of that of normal movement.

Time as indicated by the type of the sev- 'eral type disks 11, 12, 13 and 14, is recorded on one of a plurality of record strips 20. As a means for securing this recordation, the intermediate portion of each strip passes around a platen plate 21, the inner end of which is provided with a kerf 22, into which a contact plug 23 may be intermittently moved. Vhenever the contact plug 23 enters V the kerf of one of the platen plates 21. it presses the record strip disposed about this platen plate against the inking tape 15 and the type of the disks 11, 12, 13 and 14; ink impressions of said type will thereby be made on the strip 20.

This contact plug 23 preferably consists of a rubber or resilient plug carried by one arm 24 of a bell crank 25. This bell crank is pivoted as at 26 to the supporting frame means for intermittently rocking the bell crank for engaging the contact plug with the strip 20 as aforesaid, will be hereinafter more particularly explained.

The intermediate portionof the supporting frame 10 has a forwardly and horizontally projecting bearing sleeve 28 in which "a stub shaft29 revolves, said stub "shaft carrying the centrally disposed socketed boss As indicated this carrier inreality forms the front wall of the casing 1, but it also provides a *dral plate on which a plurality of characters 32 is marked. Fron Fig. 1 it will be seen that these characters 32- are circum- .65 fer'entially spaced and located adjacent the j periphery of the dial plate so that upon rotation thereof they may be successively registered with an indicator mark 33,1;11e latter being at the top of the circular opening 34 of the casing 1.

The rotary carrier is adapted to be moved in a counter-clockwise direction by means of a handle 35. Retrograde movement is prevented by a pawl and ratchet arrangement including a ratchet 36 fixed to the boss 30, and a pawl 37 pivoted upon the bracket arm 38 extending from the bearing sleeve 28.

As many characters 32. may be marked upon the dial plate portion of the rotary carrier as desired, but it is necessary to providea record strip 20 for each of said characters and preferably locate the same di- 'rectly behind or in line with the same.

Similarly a roll bracket 39 is provided for each ofthe characters 32, each bracket beingpreferably right-angular andhaving one arm secured to the carrier 31. The other arms 40 ofthe brackets 39 are positioned radially, and each is provided with a pair of spaced bearings 41 for the reception of shafts 42 of record strip rolls '43 and 44. The ends of the shafts 42 opposite the ends which are journaled in the bearings 41 are located in bearing sockets 45 formed in the carrier 31. The shafts 42 are loosely disposed in their rollsand in their bearings so that they can be moved rearwardly through the bearings 41 to permit a new strip to be placed on the rolls or for any other purpose. A spring retaining plate 46 pivoted intermediate its ends to the arm 40 of each of the brackets39 is designed to close the open ends of the bearings 41, but provide a quick means for assembling or disassembling the strip roll structure.

By this arrangement each of the record strips has its end portions wound about its cooperating rolls 43 and 44, while its intermediate portion is trained over or around the adjacent platen plate 21. In order to locate the time recordations on each record strip in a row, each strip after a recordation has been made thereon is shifted with respect to its platen plate, preferably by means for winding the same off the roll 43 and onto the roll 44. This arrangement is carried out by having the platen plates 21 and the platen supports 47 thereof radially 'shiftable with the tooth-of a ratchet 50 on the roll 44.

This roll 44 will thus be revolved slightly upon the return stroke of said platen support 47 and will be given a further rotation by the action of a leaf spring 51 on the angular part 52 of one end .ofsaid mu In other words the pawl and ratchet mechanism 49 and 50 will shift the roll 44 to engage a corner of the angular part 52 with the leaf spring 51, whereupon the tension of said leaf pring will snap the roll around to contact with a fiat portion of said angular part.

This inward or radial movement of each of the platen plates 21 and its support 47 also actuates the contact plug 23 to press the record strip against the inking tape and the type disks. For this purpose a bell crank 53 is pivoted to the supporting frame 10 immediately below the bell crank 25 and has one arm 54 connected to the arm 27 of said bell crank 25 by a link 55. A contact foot 56 forming the other arm of the bell crank 53 is designed to be struck by a depending arm 57 of an angle lever 58. One of the levers 58 is carried by each of the roll brackets 39, and has an arm 59 which projects toward the carrier 31 and is loosely connected with the platen support 47 thereadjacent through the medium of a finger 60 on the latter and a notch 61 therein. The hereinbefore referred to expansile springs 48 act against the fingers 60 as indicated in Fig. 2.

The upper portion of the casing 1 overthe carrier 31 and in axial alinement with the shaft and sleeves of the type disks 11,

12 and 13 is provided with a cutout portion or opening 62, this opening being of sufficient size to receive the end of a persons finger as indicated at F in Fig. 2. It is only through this opening that the platen plates and their supports can be radially shifted inwardly toward the axis of the carrier 31, and this movement is only possible when one of the platen plates is alined with the opening. But, the primary purpose of the opening is to expose a portion of the record'strip 20 disposed about the alined platen plate 21 so that a finger-print impression may be made on the strip coincidentally with the reoordation of the time as indicated by the type disks 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Disposed to one side of the vertical plane of the opening 62, but in position to be readily engaged by downward movement of the operators finger is an inking mechanism 63, which is partially inclosed within a hood or housing 64. The mechanism 63 includes a plurality of radially extending inking pad carrying arms 65 on each of which is fixed an inking pad 66. Referring particularly to Fig. 3 it will be seen that these arms 65 extend from a hub, one portion of which is squared as at 67 the flat sides of this part being engaged by a leaf spring 68, said spring being adapted to retain the arms 65 against movement except when manually actuated.

Operation :-The parts above described a re controlledand actuated entirely through the operations of the time clock 2 and of the several employees of the plant wherein the apparatus is installed. Assuming that an employee, who for the sake of convenience in keeping factory records has been given a number, as for instance 1, is about to record his time of arrival at the plant, it will be seen that said mechanism is operated as an initial step by said employee rotating the dial plate 31 in a proper direction to register the numeral 1 with the indi cator mark 33. This of course brings the record strip 20 belonging to this particular employee in alinement with the opening 62, thereupon the employee moves his finger downwardly against the exposed inking pad 66 to secure recording material thereon. Continued downward movement of his finger will impress his finger-print on the exposed part of the strip 20 and cause the contact plug 23 to be actuated to force the strip 20 against the inking tape 15 and the type of the disks 11, 12, 13 and 14. The record strip 20 will thus be marked as indicated in Fig. 5, the month, day, hour and minute of the time of actuation of the machine being set down in figures in a column transversely of i the strip, and the finger-print of the employee actuating the apparatus will be be low the column. Furthermore each time the mechanism is actuated in this manner a new column of figures and finger-print impression will be recorded.

Upon the removal of the employees finger from the exposed part of the record strip, the movable platen plate 21 and its support will be returned to initial or normal position and will simultaneously shift the record strip to disaline the marked or impressed portion thereof with the opening 62. When another employee is to operate the apparatus, he rotates the dial plate 31 in a similar manner to aline his number, for example 4 with the indicator mark 33. The other operations as performed by the first employee are repeated.

By having a record strip for each individual employee, every persons time may be easily computed, and inasmuch as the fingerprints on each strip are arranged in a longitudinal row, it is an easy matter for the same to be checked over to determine whether or not the same employee has registered each of the columns of figures on said strip. When it becomes necessary to remove or change the several record strips, a detachable cover in the rear of the casing 1 may be taken off.

The checking of time on the several strips may be further facilitated by having the forenoon time printed in one colored ink, for instance black ink, and the afternoon time in ink of a different color for instance red. This arrangement can easily be carried out by having the inking tape in two colors, for instance one-half being black and the other half red, and having the movelOO ment of the rolls 16 and 17 'so timed that the black portion or the tape will be moved beneath the type disks before twelve oclock noon, at which time the red ink portion of the tape will begin to move therebeneath.

()bviously various changes may be made in the manner ot'use of the ideas expressed in the aforegoing description and operation, and it is to be therefore understood that I do not desire to be limited to the mechanical structure disclosed herein.

I claim:

I 1. In an apparatus of the class described, a finger operable time recording means adapted to record the time of operation on a sheet, and means extending into the path of the finger operating said recording means for procuring an epidermic impression of said finger simultaneously and on the same sheet with the time record. I V

2. In'an apparatus of the class described, a symbol recording means, a sheet of desired material adapted to receive symbol recordations, finger operable means for procuring a plurality of symbol recordations on said sheet, a portion ofsaid sheet being located over the operating means so as to receivea finger print impression when is operated. j

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol recording means, a sheet adapted to receive symbol recordations, means for procuring a plurality of symbol rec0rdations on said sheet, and means for simultaneously securing a record of the individual or individuals operating the recording means to procure the several symbol recordations, the records of said individual or individuals being on the same sheet with said symbol recordations.

said means 4. In an apparatus of the class described,

a symbol recording means, a sheet of desired material adapted to receive symbol recordations, and means operated by the individual in operating the symbol recording means for securing a record of said individual simultaneously-with the recordation of the symbol and on the same sheet.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol recording means, a sheet of desired material adapted to receive symbol recordations, means for procuring a plurality of' same adjacent the recording means, and means for actuating the recording means to record a symbol on the selected sheet.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a relatively stationary symbol recording means, a plurality of sheets of desired material, means for shifting the sheets to successively and'selectively bring the same into range of the recording means, and means for actuating the recording means when either of said sheets is within range of the latter whereby to record a symbol thereon.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a relatively stationary symbol recording means, a. rotary sheet carrier, a plurality of sheets of desired material on said carrier, said carrier being movable to successively shift the sheets into range or" the recording means, and means for actuating the recording means when either of said sheets is within range of the latter whereby to record a symbol thereon. V

9. In an apparatus of the class described a relatively stationary symbol recording means, a rotary carrier, a plurality of pairs of rolls mounted on said carrier, a strip of desired material wound on each pair of rolls, said carrier being movableyto selectively aline a portion of either of said strips with the recording means, means foractuating the recording means'to record a symbol on the selected strip, and means for inter mittently winding the selected strip off one roll on to the other to disaline the recorded symbol on said strip with the recording means.

10. In an apparatus of the class described a relatively stationary symbol recording 'means, a rotary carrier, a plurality of pairs of rollsmounted on said carrier, a strip of desired material wound on each .pair of rolls, said carrier being movable to selectively aline a portion of either ofsaid strips with the recording means, means for moving the selected strip with respect to itsrolls to engage the former with the symbol recording means to record a symbol thereon, means for returning said selected strip to initial position, and'means for shifting said selected strip to disaline the recorded symbol with the symbol recording means.

11. In an apparatus of the class described relatively stationary symbol recording means, a rotary carrier, a plurality of pairs of rolls mounted on said carrier, a strip of desired material wound on each pair of rolls, said carrier being movable to selectively aline a portion of either of said strips with the recording means, means for moving the selected strip with respect to its rolls to engage the former with thesyn'ibol recording means to record a symbol thereon, means for returning said selected strip to initial position, and simultaneously winding said selected strip off one roll onto the other to disaline the recorded symbol with the symbol recording means.

12. In an apparatus of the class described a symbol recording means, a sheet of desired material adapted to receive symbol recordations, means for actuating the recording means to record a symbol on said sheet, means for simultaneously securing on the same sheet an epidermic impression of the individual operating said recording means, and means for shifting the sheet to disaline said recorded symbol With the recording means.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol recording means, a pair of rolls, a strip of desired material Wound on said rolls, means for actuating the recording means to record a symbol on said strip, means for securing an epidermic impression on said sheet of the individual operating the recording means, and means for intermittently Winding the strip oii one roll on to the other to disaline the recorded symbol and epidermic impression with the recording means.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol recording means, a plurality of sheets of desired material adapted to receive symbol recordations, means for selectively recording a symbol on either of said sheets, and means for securing an epidermic impression on the selected sheet of the individual or individuals actuating the recording means.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, a relatively stationary symbol recording means, a rotary sheet carrier, a plurality of sheets of desired material on said carrier, said carrier being movable to successively shift the sheets into range of the recording means, means for actuating the symbol recording means on the sheet Within range thereof, and means for securing an epidermic impression of the individual operating the recording means, said impression being on the same sheet with said symbol recordation.

16. In combination, a time recording mechanism, means for securing a fingerprint impression of the individual operating the time recording mechanism, and an inking mechanism located in the normal path of movement of the individuals finger to Ward the impression recording means.

17. In combination, a symbol recording mechanism, means for securing a fingerprint impression of the individual actuating the symbol recording mechanism, and a rotary inking device having a plurality of inking members, each or" said members being successively moved into the normal path of movement of the individuals finger toward the impression recording means.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol receiving record sheet having a Waxed or similar surface, means for recording symbols thereon, and means operable simultaneously With said last named means for taking on the same sheet a print of the finger used in operating the same.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a symbol receiving record sheet having a Waxed or similar surface, means for recording symbols thereon, and means for taking on the same sheet a print of the finger used in operating said symbol recording means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of IVisconsin.

RICHARD F. DOVVNEY. 

